Vintage Speakers

[mourip]

Spica TC50.

 

I no longer have these but they are great and still cheap on E$Bay.

 

Used them with a Conrad Johnson PV3 and a Musical Concepts modded Hafler 220.

 

The PV3 was my "gateway drug" for the long path down Audiophilia...

 

[firedog]

Wel, I am of the LS3/5a chapel.

 

I bought my pair 35 years ago when I was a student, along with a Quad 303 and a Thorens TD160 turntable.

All three have been providing me with utter musical pleasure.

They are still with me today, running as happily as ever.

At this very moment, I am listening to Eva Cassidy and they all sound quite alive to me!

I have of course tweaked my system a bit since then, adding a passive preamp, a Ciúnas USB DAC and a Mac Mini/Audirvana+.

 

Frankly, what's to change about it?

A refurb of the amp, maybe?

If it was me, I'd check out refurbs of all the equipment: belts, capacitors, cables, etc. I think it will only improve your system.

[Norton]

Anyone still have vintage speakers in their system that they love?

 

I think it's a fair description to say I love my Klipsch Cornwalls. Not strictly vintage as they (CW IIIs) were brand new in February this year, but certainly a speaker with vintage heritage and a totally beguiling listen.

[realhifi]

Spica TC50.

 

I no longer have these but they are great and still cheap on E$Bay.

 

Used them with a Conrad Johnson PV3 and a Musical Concepts modded Hafler 220.

 

The PV3 was my "gateway drug" for the long path down Audiophilia...

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21351[/ATTACH]

 

Yep. That little CJ hooked a LOT of folks on great hifi. Me being one of them.

[Toolonginexile]

Vintage chartwell 15 ohm LS35A s are my daily driver. Love them flaws and all

[maurice]

A/D/S L1290 circa 1984, a neighbor purchased them new

Always preferred them to my then Klipsch LaScala's

They have been mine since 2000

 

Still in use in one of my main systems:

Bryston BDP-1 / Sherbourn PRE-1 / Emotiva XDA-1 / Emotiva XPA-1's

[Panelhead]

My go to passive speakers are Thiel CS-3.5. First heard them at Nickolson Audio in around 1989. The setup killed my Superphon pre/amp and Celestion SL6 system at home. Most of it was definately the speakers.

Was back in Nashville a year or two later and went back. Listened to the 2.2, 3.6 and CS-5. Might back been setup but all three lacked the magic of the CS-3.5.

Picked up a pair aabout five years ago. The owner said the highs were too soft for his taste. Figured his ears were shot since they are a little hot on top. Loaded in a truck stop parking lot. Once home they were soft. Into the closet, was into active speakers at the time.

Lugged up a few years later, gave a listen. Both tweeters were dead. Replaced with the last generation of the D-28 tweeters and never looked back. These were the last of the Thiels using third party drivers. Must be the magic is in the top of the line drivers..

I have listened to many newer speakers. None have been better. Most are worse.

[bellhead]

I had Apogee Stages in the 90s. Amazingly full of truth.

[pvanosta]

My first introduction to High End audio was at my uncle's house (late 70s): ESS Heil AMT-1 speakers, driven by Phase Linear pre-power and a Thorens TD124 with SME arm or a Revox Tape deck as sources. When he bought new speakers in 1982, I got the Heils from him and held on to them for 10 more years. Other than a re-foam, they kept on delivering.

[shp]

A/D/S L1290 circa 1984, a neighbor purchased them new

Always preferred them to my then Klipsch LaScala's

They have been mine since 2000

 

Still in use in one of my main systems:

Bryston BDP-1 / Sherbourn PRE-1 / Emotiva XDA-1 / Emotiva XPA-1's

 

A friend's dad had those ADS speakers. I was selling hi-fi gear at the time and sold them on consignment, upgrading him to a pair of KEF 104/2's. I'd love to have either of them around now.